<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE OPTEL,
INC. FISCAL YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 1996 AND THE SIX MONTH PERIOD ENDED FEBRUARY
28, 1997 FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

</LEGEND>
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1996             FEB-28-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-1996             FEB-28-1997
<CASH>                                       1,677,332             135,015,397
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                3,605,853               4,459,962
<ALLOWANCES>                                   542,134                 819,999
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0                       0
<PP&E>                                     109,670,849             131,467,313
<DEPRECIATION>                               5,871,199               9,426,626
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             175,978,345             417,881,390
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0                       0
<BONDS>                                     98,377,727             348,337,390
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                        23,046                  25,296
<OTHER-SE>                                  59,256,709              49,962,108
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               175,978,345             417,681,390
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            27,604,847              18,621,717
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               11,867,960               8,701,471
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                             1,376,835                 838,662
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           5,999,133               8,601,762 
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (18,429,784)            (16,292,351)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (18,429,784)            (16,292,351)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                               (18,429,784)            (16,292,351)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (8.30)                  (7.01)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (8.30)                  (7.01)